In this thread we will discuss different shooting positions
and their uses, as well as their advantages and dissadvantages.

The information contained here is by no means the last
word or an absolute. It is merely what works for me, and
my style of shooting. If some of the information here can
work for you, use it. if you can take some of what is here
and tweak it, adapt, and modify it to your uses, that that
is what we are trying to do. This is by no means a "my way
is better than your way" or a "this is the only way" type of
thread.

Now that the legal disclaimer is out of the way, let's get
started.

The Standing Position

The standing position, or offhand as it is commonly called, is
the fastest position to assume, as you are already standing, or
at least most likely will be when walking on patrol.
It is also the one that offers the least amount of cover and concealment
for the very same reasons.

I stand at a 35-45 degree angle to the target, with my leading, or
weakside knee slightly bent. Strong side upper arm is slighty dropped,
or sometimes paralell to the ground. (I prefer to keep upper arm dropped
a bit as it keeps the stock into my shoulder a bit better).

The Combat Kneeling Position
This position is quick to get into and out of and
offers quite a bit more support and concealment and
cover than the standing offhand.

The front leg is bent with foot flat on ground.
The stong side or trailing foot is tucked under the shooter's
but. I sometimes even rest my butt on my boot.
The weapon's support arm's elbow is using the support
side leg for support.
With a little practice, you would be surprised how stable this
position can be.

The Squatting or "Rice Paddy Prone"

This position is a different theme on the Combat Kneeling
Position, and I have included it here because some shooters
find it easier to do.

It does get the shooter slightly lower than the Kneeling,
and does offer a bit more support, as BOTH arms are
resting on your legs. I find it easier to grasp the weapon
by the front of the mag well, (if weapon has one) to give
a bit more control.

The Sitting Position

If done properly this position is the most stable shooting
platform so far discussed. Second only to the prone which
we will discuss later.

To assume this position, the shooter merely crosses their
legs, and sits down. Both arms are resting on the knees of
the shooter supporting the weight of the weapon.
A little slower to get into and out of than the Squat or the
Kneeling, it is still a valuable position as it is more stable
than either.

The prone Position

The Prone Position, it the most stable field shooting
position, and the most effective from a cover and concealment
standpoint that one can use.
It is however the one that takes the most time to employ.

One must first, from standing, drop to their knees, with weapon
cradled in both hands.

Then, extend weak side arm and break fall, while tucking
the stock of weapon under arm. There is another technique
where you use the stock of the weapon to do the job of the
support arm, but I do not teach this due to the more
common proliferation of collapsable and folding stocks on
battle rifles and carbines today.

Then one drops to the ground placing the stock of weapon
into shoulder, and support hand back on handguard, arriving
at the prone position.

The Prone Position offers the most in cover, concealment,
and stability, but comes at the expense of speed to
employ.

The great firearms instructor Jeff Cooper once said that you
should never fire your rifle from the offhand position, unless
you have no other choice. I tend to agree with this line of
thought, and it is for this reason that I posted this thread.

Some of us here a very experienced shooters, and some of
us are new to the game, so to speak.

I hope some of what I posted here will help us all to
become better shooters.